FORGET Formula One. If its real racing you are after, "take one of these little monsters out for a spin across the pool table or a kitchen table stained with all sorts of food debris and you'll know what control and traction are all about. Yes, speeding out of a hair-pin bend avoiding some sticky honey spot while trying to remain on the table has been part and parcel of Micro Machines' unique place in the motor sport world.
While the PlayStation has many racing games that can showpiece its wonderful graphic capabilities, Micro Machines brings home the fact that gameplay is, and always will be, king. This is not to say the graphics, or indeed the sound effects, are from the dark ages. Nothing could be further from the truth and when compared with Micro Machines' first instalment on the Sega Mega Drive they are positively glorious. But when graphic comparisons are made against some of the better PlayStation titles, Micro Machines' visual effects pale into insignificance.
But it's not about graphics. When the first Micro Machines was released it took the gaming world by storm with its no nonsense approach. Nobody thought this cute little racing game would provide such a stern and enjoyable challenge for even the most experienced player. However, it sold by the truck-load and there are very few game players out there who failed to get their hands on a copy.
PlayStation owners, therefore, can rejoice that the powers that be have decided to release their latest version on Sony's pride and joy: Further elation comes from the fact that this is not just a port over, Micro Machines V3 has a whole host of new and exciting extras. Most significant is the addition of power-ups one of which is a giant wooden mallet extension to your vehicle's front end. Execute the power-up and literally smash your way past your opponents.
Another new addition is Cherry's Driving School. This is an ideal way to get to grips with the slippery controls and, although the condescending instructor can be annoying at times, it will be very useful to the novice player. Keepsies is also a very novel idea. This is where you can take a "prize car" from your friend. To gain prize cars you must first win races and the quality of car won is reflected in the difficulty of the race. You can then take your prize car or cars over to a mate's house on your memory card and challenge him or her to play for keepsies.
Micro Machines V3 has all that went before, plus a lot more and is fun for all adults and children alike.
Graphics: 90%, Sound: 90%, Gameplay: 95%